Young woman with curly hair sitting against a colorful graffiti wall, looking at the camera.
A row of colorful school lockers, featuring blue, yellow, pink, gray, orange, and blue lockers in a school hallway.
Young man smiling while holding a skateboard, wearing headphones, glasses, a scarf, and a jacket, standing in front of a colorful graffiti wall.

More Than a School—This Is Who We Are

Stamford Big Picture is reimagining high school—small by design and big on impact. Rooted in the belief that learning should be rigorous, relevant, and deeply relational, SBP puts each student at the center of their own educational journey, one learner at a time.

As a proud member of the national Big Picture Learning network, SBPLA brings innovation to life through daily advisories, real-world internships based on student interests, and powerful student-led exhibitions that showcase authentic growth and learning.

Big Picture Thinking

Vision & Mission

Vision

Embolden students that are curious, courageous, actualized learners with the navigational tools necessary to live lives of their own design that positively connect them to their community and beyond.

Mission

Engage students, one at a time, in personalized, interest-based learning by leveraging networks of families, mentors and the greater community to provide educational experiences grounded in rigor, relevance and relationships.

Education, The Big Picture Way

Instructional Model

At the heart of our instructional model is daily advisory—a consistent space where students build deep, trusting relationships with caring adults and peers. This sense of connection isn’t just meaningful—it’s powerful. According to the CDC, strong school-based relationships can significantly lower the risk of mental health struggles, substance use, and other high-risk behaviors in teens. Just as importantly, school connectedness fuels academic success, boosting motivation, attendance, and engagement.

Flowchart depicting the Learning Cycle process, including stages such as Learning Plan, Internships and Independent Projects, Exhibitions and Portfolios, and Feedback Loop, with sections on assessment, personal qualities, and the importance of repeated cycles for student development.

Learning at SBPLA is driven by student interests and real-world relevance. Through personalized projects and internships, students explore what excites them while developing independence, leadership, and essential workplace skills. Progress is measured not by tests alone, but through authentic exhibitions, where students present and reflect on the knowledge and standards they’ve mastered—both in and beyond the classroom

Keep The Big Picture In Sight!

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